Calceolaria tenella
delicate slipper flower
A small, deciduous, mat-forming shrubby alpine perennial with delicate, hairy yellow-green foliage, bristly stems and almost orchid-like inflated yellow flowers with pale red spots appearing in clusters of up to three above the foliage in summer
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Red | Yellow Green | ||
| Autumn | Yellow Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Calceolariaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Calceolaria can be annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs, with opposite leaves or basal rosettes, and solitary or clustered, slipper-like yellow, red or purple flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Chile
How to grow
Cultivation
Outdoors, grow in light, moderately fertile, acidic soil in sun or partial shade. Flowering is best in cool, moist conditions. Water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks. To overwinter plants, lift them before the first frosts and put them in pots in a frost-free greenhouse
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown under glass in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong flowering
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.